The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has cleared Food & Food Integrated Company Limited, producers of BON Bread, of any wrongdoing following an investigation into claims that one of its bread products remained unmoulded for more than two months.
In a statement issued on May 17, the agency said it launched an investigation after a social media blogger alleged on April 13 that a loaf of bread supplied for sale had remained without mould for over two months.
Although the complainant did not identify the bread brand, the company claimed the product in question was BON Bread and denied any wrongdoing.
NAFDAC said its Greater FCT Directorate conducted an inspection of the company’s bakery facility in Abuja on April 20 and collected bread samples and condiments for laboratory analysis. Additional samples were also purchased from the open market for testing.
According to the agency, findings showed that the company, which began bread production in 2006, had undergone several product licence renewals without penalties or product recalls.
Laboratory analysis revealed that calcium propionate, a preservative permitted under international food safety standards, was used in the bread within the acceptable limits specified in the Codex Alimentarius food code.
The agency further stated that tests carried out on samples obtained from the production facility and open market did not detect objectionable substances such as bromate or non-nutritive sweeteners.
NAFDAC noted that bread manufacturers are permitted to adopt preservation methods that extend shelf life, provided such practices comply with globally accepted standards.
The agency said the outcome of its investigation confirmed that Food & Food Integrated Company Limited was not in violation of any of its regulations.
NAFDAC also urged members of the public to report complaints about regulated products directly to any of its offices or through its electronic channels and newly launched call centre instead of resorting to social media.